Actors aren't usually this weird together. Most press tours are a slog of rehearsed smiles and safe anecdotes about "great craft" and "wonderful sets." But then there’s whatever is happening with Mark Ruffalo and Emma Stone. If you’ve seen them in an interview lately, you know the vibe is less "professional colleagues" and more "siblings who are definitely going to get kicked out of this wedding."
It basically all started with Poor Things.
Before that, they were just two massive stars operating in different orbits. Mark was the soulful, activist-leaning guy we all loved as the Hulk; Emma (or Emily Stone, as she recently asked to be called) was the Oscar-winning powerhouse of La La Land. When Yorgos Lanthimos threw them together in a surrealist, Victorian-era fever dream, something just clicked. Honestly, it shouldn't have worked. The movie is bizarre. Ruffalo plays a "toxic, narcissistic cad" named Duncan Wedderburn, while Stone is Bella Baxter, a woman with a child’s brain in a grown body.
They spent months filming intense, often hilarious, and deeply vulnerable scenes. That kind of work creates a bond, sure. But the friendship they’ve showcased since then? That’s something else.
Why Mark Ruffalo and Emma Stone are the internet’s favorite pair
People are obsessed with them because they feel real. During the 2024 awards season, you couldn't scroll through TikTok without seeing a clip of them making fun of each other. At one point, Ruffalo posted a heartfelt tribute to her, calling her a "once-in-a-generation talent." Then, just weeks later, he’s publicly agreeing to call her Emily because "we love you, Emily," poking fun at the fact that she’s been using a stage name for decades.
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It's the lack of ego.
Ruffalo admitted in several interviews—including a great one with Vanity Fair—that he was actually terrified of his role in Poor Things. He’d never done a period piece with that kind of "cocksure" energy. He was scared of letting Emma down. She, in turn, has been his biggest hype woman.
The "Poor Things" Effect
The movie was a juggernaut. We're talking 11 Oscar nominations. Emma Stone took home Best Actress, and while Mark didn't snag the Supporting Actor trophy, his performance was arguably the comedic peak of his career.
Working with an intimacy coordinator (Elle McAlpine) was a huge part of their process. Stone has talked about how having that safety net allowed her and Mark to be completely uninhibited. You’ve probably heard her mention that her body sometimes didn't know the difference between acting and reality, leading to intense physical reactions. Having a partner like Ruffalo, who she clearly trusts, made those "furious jumping" scenes possible without the usual Hollywood awkwardness.
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- Trust: They’ve both cited a deep "unconditional" respect for each other’s process.
- Humor: From arguing about Shrek movies to debating the merits of Brussels sprouts on LADbible, they don't take themselves seriously.
- The Name Change: Mark was one of the first major co-stars to publicly pivot to calling her Emily after her Hollywood Reporter interview.
What most people get wrong about their relationship
There was a brief moment where the internet wondered if there was something romantic there. Classic Hollywood gossip, right? But honestly, it’s much cooler than that. They represent a genuine, platonic "power friendship." Emma is married to Dave McCary, and Mark has been with his wife, Sunrise Coigney, for over 20 years.
What we’re seeing is two people at the top of their game who finally found someone as weird as they are.
The Andrew Garfield Connection
One of the best moments of the Poor Things press run didn't even involve the movie. It was at the New York premiere when Emma spotted her ex and close friend, Andrew Garfield. There’s a viral clip of her pointing him out excitedly, and then a second clip surfaced of Mark Ruffalo—ever the dad of the group—walking over to give Garfield a massive hug.
It felt like a crossover episode no one expected. It also showed how integrated their social circles have become. Mark isn't just a coworker; he's the guy hugging her old friends at premieres.
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The Future: Will they work together again?
While there isn't a confirmed "Stone-Ruffalo Part 2" on the 2026 slate yet, the demand is through the roof. Emma is continuing her streak with Yorgos Lanthimos (they’ve got Kinds of Kindness and the upcoming Bugonia), and Ruffalo is always hunting for "scary" roles now.
He told Graham Norton that he basically wants to feel that "fear" all the time now. He wants the roles that make him sweat. And Emma? She’s producing more than ever. It’s highly likely she’ll pull Mark into a Fruit Tree (her production company) project sooner rather than later.
How to follow their journey
If you want to keep up with what they're doing, don't just look at the tabloids. Most of the gold is in the long-form interviews.
- Watch the "Agree to Disagree" segment on LADbible. It’s 10 minutes of them acting like toddlers, and it’s the best evidence of their chemistry.
- Listen to the "Fresh Air" podcast episode where they break down the psychology of their Poor Things characters. It’s much deeper than the red carpet snippets.
- Check out Mark’s Instagram. He’s surprisingly active and often posts behind-the-scenes "Emily" content that doesn't make it to the official studio pages.
The "Mark and Emma" era isn't just about one movie. It’s a reminder that even in a high-pressure industry like film, you can find a person who makes the work feel like play. That’s why we’re still talking about them two years after the cameras stopped rolling.
Next steps for fans: Go back and watch the "ship scene" in Poor Things with the knowledge that they were both freezing and terrified during filming. It changes the whole vibe of the performance. Also, keep an eye on the 2026 casting announcements for Bugonia—rumors are always flying about who else might join that Lanthimos-Stone universe.